Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-02
W0RKMEN IN COUNCIL
PUBLIC NETTING OF THE MECHANICS
OF THE CITY
Held By the carpenterS and Joiners
Unien- Speeches by kessrs. Conner,
Devine, Mullen, and DR. Bass.

Devine, Mullen, and DR. Bass.
The Carpenters and Joiners' Union
of Richmond held public meeting st
Cld-Market Hall last night. All me-
chanics were cordially invited TO attend,
and there were present about $50 per-
sons, representing the various trades in
the city, the majority of them, of
course, being carpenters and probably
members of the union.
Recording-Secretary J. II. Biesen
called the meeting to order and acted
as presiding officer. He stated that the
object Of the meeting was TO get the
mechanics together and induce them
all carpenters and Others to become
union men. To accomplish this object
several gentlemen well posted on such
subjects had been invited 10 be present
and address the assemblage.
THEIR CIRCULAR.
Mr.. Biesen, in order that matters
might be facilitated and the uninformea
posted as to the provisions and benefits
Of the Carpenters Union, had read a
circular which had been printed for this
purpose. The circular appeals in strong
terms to all carpenters and joiners
TO JON the union. IL claims that the
wages received 10y carpenters are lower
than those of other mechanics who re-
quirc no greater skill and who before
beginning work have no expensive tools
10 buy.
After holding up the condition of the
carpenters and the many disadvantages
and hardships under which they have TO
labor and showing the necessity for the
300, 600 carpenters of this country who
are at the mercy Of few thousand con
tractors and boss-builders, the circular
says
The general benefits are: $3.50 death benefit,
500 disability benefit, and so in case OF
wlfe's death, and these benefits are secured
and paid by system OF mutual insurance a.
cost.
While we do not believe In melting strikes
yet, when trade difficulties are forced upon u,
we sustain our members 10 the bitter end.
II is through tho cooperation Of all tho
unions in the brotherhood that these various
lCucttR are Nihle possible ana hNHthlncu. Ouf
local unions are Incorporated under the laws
Of each state, 40 that every dollar Of funds and
benefits are legally secured.
Our local unions assist members In distress
and 10 obtain work, and pay benefits in case OF
sickness and other mishaps They also sue Tor
wages wherever any boss attempts to defraud
n workman; and in travelling, member OF
ono union is member OF all othor unions
wherever he goes without further Initiation foe.
We are not n secret organization, only 80 far
nc qrb TuiQp deem UpppgJQTN Tor the
lection Of lis members. We have no Oa.b3-
only n simple pledge OF honor. such IL the
nature of our brotherhood. Hence we appeal
10 all carpenfers and tOincrs tO become mem
ber- Of The brotherhood by Joining the Carp3n
ters' [ i'niOn In this city. When you consider the
benefits, the advantages, aud, more than all,
TIE great necessity that forces Us 10 organize,
then there can be no reason why you 10 NOT
show yourself man by being in union vita
your follow-wOrkmcn.
MIR. CONNER SPEAKS.
Mr. Biesen introduced as the first
speaker Of the evening one of the "Clty
Fathers and true friend of labor, Nr.
John Conner.
Mr.. Conner expressed himself as i'll
favor of all trades unions, and said that
he was with their members from
"Alpha" to "Omega." The object OF
trades unions is the protection Of sell
against the combination of the wealth
Of the country. He claimed that me
chanics have not only the right to or
ganize, but that 1t is the duty OF
every mechanic, not only to him
self, but to his wife and family,
whom he has sworn TO support,
10 organize for protection. He was not
a carpenter, but a mechanic-a timer.
He was not a member of the Timers
Union, but of that great organization
in which "an injury to one is the con-
cern of all" [Applause.] The car
peHters had notified their employers
that from to-day March lsD they
would expect to work under the nine
| hour system. The timers have deter
mined that with them after the LIST OF
Nav nine hours will be considered a
DAYS work, and their employers have
been so informed. He spoke at some
length in favor of trades unions and
short hours. By reducing days work
TO nine hours, he cOntended, more men
who are unemployed will be given some
thing TO DO 10y which they can support
those dependent upon them. There
are in the employment of the city gov
ernment, he said, men who work twelve
hours day. What time have they for
educating themselves either for this life
or the future, or to give to their faml-
lies the attention and care that is due
them? Workingmen should organize
and suppress such wrongs as those.
He was, generally speaking, not III
favor Of strikes, but there are times at
which there should be strikes, and
| every true member Of the occupation
affected should Join in them. STRIKES
are not always n success, and this is
chiefly due to the fact that many who
ION in the strike break ranks and return
| Ia work on the terms OF their EN-
ployers
Another thing which causes strikes t.
fail in accomplishing the good intended
is free emigration, which, he claims, Is
ono of the worst enemies free labor has
in America. Applause To this, and
only this, was the failure OF the stglke
Of The 1ongshoremen due. Had 1t not
been for the free labor imported to New
York and the scabs in this country tht
company would have been forced 70
yield.
THE LITTLE CIRCULAR.
The speaker referred to a little cir
cular" issued by an association IN the
citv calling upon the honest and the
true to do this, that, aud the other
This. he declared, was issued by al
organization the real object of which Is
10 break down the organization OF men
who have to labor for living. Ih'
true workingmen, he knew, would g
10 the polls and cast their ballots foi
such men and measures as VIII redown
IN the good Of united labor.
In referring TO the conflict between
labor and capital, Mr.. Conner main
toined that the trouble, instead Of being
over. is Just assuming its most serious
nbase. be indirectly referred to the
sn;t of Bsughman Brothers as, The
Tvnooraphicm Union for conspiracy
80 and predicted that this will work nc
injury TO the union. As mar
strongly in favor Of trades organi
zations he urged all non-union men tc
come into the unions. Unions are com
nendable, but to accomplish goodmqs'
/ 49, an1 this flt